They say to their mothers, Where is grain and wine? when they faint as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul was poured out into their mothers' bosom.
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Thomas Aquinas
AD 1274
The order of death is here exposed,as it excites mercy. First is a prayer to mothers as said: "They cry to theri mothers, 'Where is bread and wine?'". As if wine is lacking, so give to us bread. For Lamentations 4:4 claims: "the children beg for food, but no one gives to them."
Second, there is the necessity for praying. As Verse 12 continues: "as they faint like wounded men in the streets of the city." That is, they perish by the famine: "in the streets of the city". As if by avoiding everything, since they are unable to render any aid or remedy. For Jeremiah 21:7 says: "and the people in this city who survive the pestilence, sword, and famine."
Third, is the most bitter death. Verse 12 thus concludes: "as their life is poured out on their mothers' bosom." Thus the Book of Kings: "And when, he had lifted him, and brought him to his mother, the child sat on her lap till noon, and then died." (2 Kings (4 Kings): 4:20).
